Funds under this grant award will be used to support the administration, coordination, enhancement, maintenance, and biological assessment activities of the north carolina artificial reef program

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received a Sport Fish Restoration (CFDA 15.605) formula grant of $846,518 from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. The award supports administration, coordination, enhancement, and biological assessment activities of the North Carolina Artificial Reef Program, which manages a system of 43 ocean artificial reefs and 29 estuarine reefs throughout the state.

Under this award, the grantee will conduct planning, permitting, and monitoring of reef sites; coordinate maintenance and repair of estuarine reef buoys; perform diver operations to assess physical attributes and conduct hydrographic surveys of reef materials; and manage reef site maintenance and enhancement activities. Additionally, the program will engage with the public to provide outreach regarding fishing and diving opportunities, reef program information, and educational resources. The Sport Fish Restoration program is funded through excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel, with revenues apportioned annually to eligible state agencies through a legislatively established formula.

The purpose of this program is to create habitat that provides public opportunities for fishing and diving while serving valuable biological and ecological functions. The north carolina artificial reef system is made up of 43 ocean artificial reefs and 29 estuarine reefs. Through this project the NC artificial reef program will coordinate planning permitting enhancement and monitoring of the north carolina artificial reef system. The program will also engage with the public to provide information about the reef program and fishing and diving opportunities. Additional tasks will include coordinating maintenance and repair of the buoys stationed on estuarine artificial reefs. Staff will also work to enhance the north carolina artificial reef system by maintaining reef sites. They will conduct diver operations to monitor physical attributes of reef sites. They will also perform hydrographic surveys of reef materials for reporting construction monitoring and educational outreach.